Single Point of Access is live

Following a Sussex-wide review of emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people, a new West Sussex Single Point of Access (SPoA) for emotional wellbeing and mental health support has launched.

The new service provides a simplified single route so that children, young people, families, carers and professionals can be directed to the right service, eliminating the need to refer to multiple services.

Led by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), the new arrangement is delivered in partnership with West Sussex County Council. A leaflet to share with parents will soon be available, in the meantime you can download a crib sheet.

Spotlight

Support for LGBT+ youth in West Sussex

“The biggest change is definitely my confidence”. A young person speaks of their experience and what it meant to receive support at a pivotal moment in his life. 

The Allsorts Youth Project supports young people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans or exploring their gender identity and/or sexual orientation, alongside their families in West Sussex. Please watch and help us share this important information and film.

Boost your confidence working with LGBT+ young people

Approaching conversations around gender identify and sexuality sometimes can feel like a minefield. Allsorts has a range of great resources to help, including Top Tips for working with Trans & Gender-Exploring Young People.

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New Wellbeing and Safety Plans to Support Young People

To support and guide the ongoing work schools and frontline practitioners undertake with young people a series of Wellbeing and Safety Plans and accompanying guidance documents have been created. These have been produced by the Educational Psychology Service and Safeguarding in Education Team, in conjunction with other relevant safeguarding and wellbeing services and schools.

It is hoped undertaking these plans with children and young people will further promote wellbeing, increase feelings of self-worth in the young person and emphasise balanced thinking, strength-building, active coping, and resilience while maintaining their safety.

These plans are supplementary to services and support already in place and are not designed to replace an assessment by an appropriate mental health professional, accessing appropriate support, statutory guidance, or your organisations own safeguarding policies and procedures. 

How to submit evidence for new 10-year plan to improve mental health

The public, those with lived experience of mental ill-health, and health and care professionals have until 7 July to share views on how support and services should adapt for the future. The easiest way to take part is via the Department of Health and Social Cares' online survey.

Your Mind Matters is a county council led campaign which aims to ensure young people, parents and professionals across West Sussex know where to get help with their emotional wellbeing and mental health, both in general and in times of crisis.